It would be RaGa versus NaMo - literally in Uttar Pradesh as two big leaders would criss-cross the state in coming one month addressing rallies and meetings trying to fathom the political waters in this politically crucial state that holds key to power post-lok Sabha elections.
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi would address a series of rallies which is likely to set the tone of tenor of the possible contest between two top leaders of the country. "Uttar Pradesh being crucial for both Congress and BJP people are eagerly waiting for the speech Rahul Gandhi and Narendra Modi would deliver. People here are very politically conscious and know the value of their votes.
Therefore, what Rahul and Modi say will not only set the benchmark for their respective party workers but also enlighten the people," Dr S.P. Pandey, Convener, Govind Ballabh Pant Institute of Studies in Rural Development, lucknow, said. Beginning would be made by Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi who would address rallies in Muslim dominated Rampur and Aligarh on Wednesday. This would be followed by another set of rallies onOctober 22 in Hamirpur in Budelkhand and Salempur in Ballia in eastern UP.
Congress is using this opportunity to showcase the achievements of the Monmohan Singh led UP Government. Therefore, these are called "Thanksgiving" rallies in which people (read Congress leaders) would thank Rahul Gandhi for introduction of Food Security Bill and land Acquisition Bill.
"The country is indebted to Rahul ji for his vision and the bold decision he took in stopping the passage of the Ordinance against criminals. If Union Government was forced to take a second look (into ordinance) it was because of Rahulji," Congress Spokesman Amarnath Agarwal said. "People wanted to thank Rahulji so these rallies were organized," he said. If Rahul will try to build the image of his party and UPA Government through rallies, Modi is ready to puncture the Congress sail. "There is massive response for Modi’s rally.
Over 5 lakh people are expected to attend the inaugural rally in Kanpur on October 19. There is a wave in favour of Modi and no one can match his popularity now," BJP spokesman Vijay Bahadur Pathak said. Modi would address nine rallies in next one month or so with culminating his campaign with a massive show of strength in lucknow where he would address a rally on December 25 - the birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee who had represented this parliamentary constituency four times.
Uttar Pradesh, home to 20 millon people, has 80 lok Sabha seats and it is believed that he party that gets lion’s share rules the country. "Who else but BJP will sweep the polls. NaMo hai hamare pass," said Santosh Singh, a local BJP leader picking the line from Hindi blockbuster Zanjeer.